Russia launches last Glonass-M satellite

January 9, 2012

Russia launched Soyuz carrier rocket with a Glonass-M navigation satellite on board from the Plesetsk Space Center. The launch of the Glonass, which will augment a group of 27 similar satellites already in orbit.
This was the 5th and the last launch of a Glonass satellite this year. On November 4, 2011, three reserve Glonass-M satellites were launched.
Glonass is Russia s answer to the US Global Positioning System (GPS), and is designed for both military and civilian uses. Both systems allow users to determine their positions to within a few meters.
A Glonass satellite launched on October 3, 2011 completed the grouping of 24 functioning satellites needed to provide global coverage.